About Indian Skimmers:
- It is found in the coastal estuaries of western and eastern India.
- It occurs primarily on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes and, in the non-breeding season, in estuaries and coasts.
- About 20% of the total population of fewer than 2,500 birds nest along river Chambal.
- Protection status:
Key facts about the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary:
- It is a wildlife sanctuary and estuary situated in Andhra Pradesh.
- Between this sanctuary area and the sea Hope Island blocks the direct confluence of the sea and Godavari. As a result, about 40% of the sanctuary is only sea backwaters and the rest of the area is intermingled with creeks and gets inundated with tidal waters.
- Flora: It has extensive mangrove and dry deciduous tropical forests. It is the second-largest stretch of mangrove forests in India.
- Fauna: It is home to the critically endangered white-backed vulture and the long-billed vulture.
